The Trip of a Lifetime!

So sadly my trip has come to an end! This final week of my Canadian adventure has been the perfect way to conclude what has been the most memorable experience. After 4 weeks of what i've previously called 'controlled chaos' at the Greenshield Clinic, this final week has been the complete opposite.

On Monday, I took a three and half hour train ride from Windsor to Oakville, a suburb outside of Toronto. It is home of the renowned athletic therapy school called Sheridan College. After a cooling off day at my accomodation, I wandered down into Oakville town eventually after walking 2km in the wrong direction, being confused by the green road signs. A scenic town with quaint little shops, I was impressed by the selection of bars and restaurants on offer. The regular bus service around the town allowed me to quickly shoot back and forth and explore.

Wednesday was college day! I went to the college with a member of teaching staff there and was timetabled for the day to experience each different module that the students could take through the 4 years of their course. The day started with me explaining my story from start of degree to end and how I was now in front of them in Canada. My Q&A session was greeted with a round of applause and I moved on to the next practical sessions; Emergency procedures, flexibility practical and cold modalities. Each one I had an opportunity to particiapte with the students in class and speak to them about their course and he comparisons to my studies.

After a taping session, I had the chance to sit in and contribute to a case conference ahead of the open clinic sessions heldat the college. Some cases were just beautiful, complete knee ligament rupture being one..

After my day at the college, we shifted swiftly to Toronto City. Reason being; field passes to batting practice to the Toronto BlueJays match. I had a small time to talk to the Athletic Therapists, George and Frosty and their intern Tommy, who was a 3rd year from Sheridan College.

Thursday was another chill day where I did some shopping at the local mall. Friday was Toronto Adventure day! I took this chance to hit CN Tower and Ripleys aquarium as well as the Real Sports Bar for chicken wings and the famous Steam Whistle Brewery. Time beat me to the Hockey Hall of Fame however a rucksack of souvenirs made up for it!

Saturday was Niagara Falls day. If you haven't been it is quite possibly the greatest natural site you'll ever get to visit. The overwhelming power of the falls gives you shivers down your spine nevermind the wet hair after the Hornblower trip! My time at Niagara allowed me to taste Canada's Poutine plus a visit to the Herseys Factory!

And my final call had taken me to the Canadian Football Team, Hamilton TigerCats. Backroom access and player interaction was on the menu, for starters; therapist shadowing and a tour of the brand new Tim Hortons Field. Main course, helping out pitchside during the match, in which we won comprehensively! Desert, complimentary CFL stash.

I've had a very busy week with long days though i'd have it no other way! It has capped off what has been an amazing 5 weeks here in Canada.

A huge thanks is in order to everybody who has made this trip possible and to those who have welcomed me into their establishments in both Windsor and Oakville; without them I'd not be writing this now!

I hope you've enjoyed my script from Oxstalls to Ontario.
It's been a blast and I hope to return soon!

Sports Therapy Love, 
Canada.